I am a pediatric oncologist and palliative care physician with a dedication to improving the quality of care for children with cancer by way of clinical medicine and research.  My primary work has focused on improving early integration of palliative care with oncology care in an effort to enhance quality of care throughout the course of therapy for pediatric oncology patients.  My training included a 6 year BA/MD program with Lehigh University and Drexel University College of Medicine, pediatric residency at UMDNJ-NJMS, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology fellowship at Johns Hopkins/NIH, Bioethics fellowship at the NIH, and Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship at UTHSC. My clinical and research training enabled me to attain triple board certified in pediatrics, hematology/oncology, and hospice and palliative medicine, as well as to establish myself as a physician scientist, pediatric palliative oncologist and ethicist.

I have experience in both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies as well as experience with analytical and conceptual work.  I have presented abstracts at multiple national meetings, written multi-institutional IRB approved clinical research protocols, published numerous original manuscripts, and obtained grant funding for my research efforts.  

My clinical skills include expertise in pediatric oncology and palliative care with a particular concentration in pain and symptom management with a focus on maximizing quality of life during cancer therapy and hematopoietic transplant and cellular therapy.  I have been instrumental in building our palliative oncology service at St Jude over the last decade, have served for years as the medical director of the Quality of Life service, and most recently assumed the role of Division Director. I have been active in clinical administration and leadership both institutionally at St. Jude, and in the national and international professional community. 

I live in Memphis, TN with my husband and five children and feel privileged to work at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital and to have the opportunity to enhance quality of life for my patient and families, as well as advocate for palliative care integration for the field as a whole through research, scholarship, and leadership.